Search Results (1,037,126)

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are critical components of alpine sandy land ecosystems, yet how their diazotrophic communities respond to plantation type and successional stage remains largely unknown. This study examined diazotrophic community differentiation in BSCs under four sand-fixing plantations (Salix psammophila SL, Caragana korshinskii NT, Salix cheilophila WL, Populus simonii XYY) across three successional stages in an alpine sandy land. Soil properties, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were measured, along with nifH gene sequencing (Illumina), to characterize community composition and its relationships with environmental factors along BSCs succession. The results indicate that Skermanella, Mastigocladus, and Nostoc were the dominant diazotrophic groups in the study area. The Nostoc was the dominant genus across all plantation types, with the highest average relative abundance (37.92%) recorded in moss crusts under the XYY plantations. Diazotrophic α-diversity increased with BSCs succession, and β-diversity analysis (PCoA with ANOSIM) demonstrated significant community differentiation among plantation types (variance explanation = 50.91%, R = 0.59458, p = 0.001). Spearman’s and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that sand-fixing plantations drive the differentiation of diazotrophic communities by regulating soil physicochemical properties and microbial metabolism. Furthermore, the diazotrophic communities in moss crusts exhibited stronger environmental responsiveness than those in algae crusts. In the COG functional categories, J (translation and ribosomal biogenesis, 7.92%), E (amino acid metabolism, 10.14%), and C (energy production, 7.11%) were identified as the core foundational functions of BSCs in the study area. The relative abundances of these functional categories showed convergence. In summary, different plantations were associated with distinct diazotrophic community compositions, and these associations were largely mediated by soil environmental factors. Concurrently, BSC succession covaried with enhanced differentiation in community structure and functional traits. These patterns are consistent with a stepwise response cascade linking vegetation and soil properties to diazotrophic communities and nitrogen metabolism functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the stability and long-term restoration of artificial ecosystems by regulating diazotrophic communities in BSCs in alpine sandy land. Full article

Water-lubricated bearings (WLBs) may exhibit marked friction-induced vibration during low-speed and heavy-load operation as hydrodynamic lubrication becomes insufficient. However, the load dependence of the low-speed operating limit and associated vibration characteristics remains insufficiently understood. In this study, a WLB was tested under specific pressures of 0.28, 0.42, 0.56, and 0.84 MPa during stepwise deceleration from 20 to 6 r/min. A joint three-standard-deviation criterion based on root mean square and peak-to-peak acceleration was used to identify the first measured speed point with marked vibration amplification. The coefficient of friction, time-domain features, spectral energy distribution, envelope characteristics, and FSI-based limiting hydrodynamic capacity were analyzed. The first vibration amplification points occurred at 6, 8, 10, and 10 r/min, respectively, accompanied by audible abnormal sound used only as qualitative corroboration. The onset responses varied from isolated or repeated bursts to pronounced medium-high-frequency impulsive excitation and quasi-periodic low-frequency amplitude modulation. The limiting hydrodynamic capacity calculated at a prescribed eccentricity ratio decreased with increasing load and was lower at the onset condition than at the adjacent pre-onset condition. This vibration-based framework provides an operational method for identifying low-speed operating boundaries related to loads and may support operating-condition selection and early warning of abnormal vibration in WLB systems. Full article

The progression of tuberculosis (TB) from a latent infection to an active disease involves intricate modifications in host immune, inflammatory, oxidative, and metabolic pathways. Ferroptosis represents a distinct form of regulated cell death that requires iron and is associated with excessive lipid peroxidation and has been associated with tissue damage in TB; however, its connection with host transcriptional changes during active TB is not fully understood. This study sought to identify and externally validate immune–inflammatory hub genes among differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in active TB that overlap with a ferroptosis-associated gene set derived from FerrDb, employing an integrated transcriptomic and systems-biology methodology. Differential expression analysis of GSE37250 revealed 1015 DEGs in active TB compared to latent TB, comprising 585 upregulated and 430 downregulated genes, and 93 DEGs in active TB compared to healthy controls, including 65 upregulated and 28 downregulated genes. Intersection analysis identified 94 DEGs common to the active TB versus latent TB comparison and the ferroptosis-associated gene set, and eight DEGs common to the active tuberculosis versus healthy-control comparison and the same gene set, with no genes shared across all three sets. Functional enrichment of the 94 intersection genes underscored immune response, defense response, stress response, Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, IL-17 signaling, TNF signaling, glutathione metabolism, neutrophil degranulation, cytokine signaling, and antimicrobial metal sequestration. Protein–protein interaction analysis followed by cytoHubba prioritization identified 10 hub genes: IL1B, TLR4, CXCL10, MMP9, CYBB, MPO, CD36, LCN2, S100A8, and LTF. Subsequent to outcome-independent probe selection, external validation in GSE28623 demonstrated significant positive differential expression of LCN2, S100A8, and LTF, while GSE62525 showed significant positive differential expression of IL1B, TLR4, MMP9, MPO, LCN2, and LTF. LCN2 and LTF were significantly upregulated in both validation datasets, indicating the strongest cross-dataset reproducibility. These results identify an immune–inflammatory transcriptional network intersecting with ferroptosis-associated genes in active TB. Notably, the transcriptomic findings do not confirm ferroptotic cell death but suggest candidate genes and biological processes for future experimental exploration. Full article

Diagnosis in epilepsy depends on several distinct objectives—including interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) detection, source localisation of epileptiform activity, and seizure classification—each shaped by the underlying sensing technology. This review examines the opportunities that quantum magnetic sensing offers within this diagnostic framework, with particular emphasis on translational readiness and clinical potential. Seizure classification is included to situate the broader clinical context of epilepsy diagnostics, whereas the review of quantum sensing evidence is focused on IED detection and presurgical source localisation, the objectives for which such evidence currently exists. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides non-invasive source localisation that complements electroencephalography (EEG), and its clinical adoption is increasingly determined by advances in magnetic sensor technology. Optically pumped magnetometer (OPM)-based MEG represents the most clinically developed quantum sensing application, progressing from proof-of-concept in 2020 toward small-cohort clinical feasibility studies from 2022 onwards. By enabling on-scalp recordings at reduced sensor-to-brain distance, OPM-MEG improves signal amplitude and permits flexible sensor placement, with early evidence of benefit in paediatric populations and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. However, current evidence derives from small, heterogeneous cohorts, and no prospective data yet link OPM-MEG to surgical outcomes. ⁴He-OPMs represent an early feasibility stage with IED detection comparable to superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-MEG in small case series; nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond and silicon carbide divacancy magnetometry remain preclinical, constrained by a fundamental standoff-sensitivity trade-off. We conclude that OPM-MEG is best positioned as a complementary modality within established presurgical workflows, with prospective multicentre outcome studies representing the critical next step toward clinical translation. Full article

Lactobacilli are Gram-positive fermentative bacteria with GRAS (“Generally Recognized As Safe”) status. Since 2017, it has been reported that many lactobacilli strains can form extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are spherical bilayered membrane structures of nanometric size that carry cytoplasmic components. Bacterial EVs are considered important mediators between host and commensal bacteria, but their biological effects have not been widely studied. The purification of EVs involves methodological difficulties. Due to their nanometric size, EVs are prone to being co-purified with media compounds, which interfere with their characterization. The present work aimed to obtain high-purity EVs and to determine their physicochemical properties. To achieve the objectives, we developed a minimal synthetic medium (MSM) suitable for the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 and also designed a protocol to concentrate and obtain its EVs. The medium was free of high-molecular-weight compounds and surfactants, and the purification protocol included EV concentration via a tangential flow filtration step. The EVs obtained had an average size of 110 nm ± 40 nm and a negative zeta potential. They exhibited a mean protein content of 100 µg/mL with a clear protein profile absent in the culture media. EVs also contain RNA and scarce DNA. Our work contributed to improving the purification of lactobacilli EVs by replacing the traditional medium used in lactic acid bacteria growth (MRS) with a synthetic minimal medium (MSM). The design of the MSM allows for high-purity vesicles to be obtained and accurately characterized. Full article

Existing studies still have limitations in characterizing the complex temporal patterns of photovoltaic time series. In particular, current forecasting models often struggle to capture local abrupt fluctuations and nonlinear relationships among variables, while hyperparameter optimization remains challenging. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes a CNN-iTransformer short-term photovoltaic power forecasting method based on multiscale decomposition and adaptive optimization. First, the original photovoltaic power time series is decomposed into trend, seasonal, and residual components using seasonal-trend decomposition based on Loess (STL). The residual component is then further decomposed through variational mode decomposition (VMD) to fully extract the latent multiscale temporal information embedded in the sequence. Second, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed to extract local fluctuation features, while the iTransformer is utilized to model the nonlinear relationships and long-term temporal dependencies between multiple meteorological variables and photovoltaic power. Finally, the Phototropic Growth Algorithm (PGA) is introduced to optimize key hyperparameters of the forecasting model, thereby improving its generalization capability and forecasting accuracy under multi-seasonal scenarios. Simulation experiments are conducted using real-world data from a photovoltaic power station in Alice Springs, Australia. The experimental results show that, under the same PGA optimization conditions, the proposed model reduces the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) by approximately 19.12% and 17.43%, respectively, compared with the baseline iTransformer. Meanwhile, its performance is better than that of several mainstream deep learning models, which verifies the generalization ability and forecasting accuracy of the proposed method under complex seasonal variations. Full article

Accurate oil saturation evaluation is critical for shale oil sweet-spot prediction and reserve assessment, but conventional resistivity-based interpretation is commonly challenged in clay-rich lacustrine shale oil reservoirs. In some favorable shale intervals, high oil-bearing potential is accompanied by low resistivity, which weakens the applicability of Archie-type saturation models and may lead to underestimation of oil saturation. To clarify the origin of this abnormal electrical response and improve saturation interpretation, this study investigates the upper fourth member of the Shahejie Formation in the Boxing Sag, Jiyang Sub-basin. Core description, thin-section observation, XRD mineral composition, porosity, measured oil saturation, TOC, S1 and conventional logging data were integrated to establish a core-calibrated and SOM-based reservoir classification workflow. Using GR, AC, CNL, DEN, Rt and Rs as input curves, the shale oil reservoirs were divided into Type I, Type II and Type III classes. Type I reservoirs exhibit better pore development and hydrocarbon enrichment, with mean porosity, oil saturation, TOC and S1 values of 4.95%, 59.18%, 2.21 wt% and 2.77 mg/g, respectively. However, their mean Rt is only 22.75 Ω·m, much lower than that of Type III reservoirs. This response defines a typical “three-high and one-low” logging pattern, characterized by high GR, high AC, high CNL and low resistivity. The resistivity-reversal behavior is mainly associated with clay-related conduction and relatively higher absolute water content, whereas organic matter and pyrite do not form continuous conductive pathways in the studied interval. Based on this mechanism, a class-dependent electrical–non-electrical log fusion model was developed by combining clay-corrected electrical saturation with neutron–density saturation constraints. Compared with the single electrical model and single non-electrical model, which yield mean absolute errors of 12.65 and 13.84 percentage points, respectively, the proposed fusion model reduces the error to 8.88 percentage points. Application to more than 40 wells identifies the central–western part of the Boxing Sag as the most favorable shale oil sweet-spot area. The cumulative thickness of Type I reservoirs generally exceeds 100 m in this area and locally reaches more than 150 m. The proposed workflow provides a practical method for identifying favorable low-resistivity lacustrine shale oil reservoirs using conventional logging data. Full article

The dual-fuel combustion strategy is a promising method to achieve the high-ratio utilization of isopropanol–butanol–ethanol (IBE) in diesel engines. However, how the diesel injection timing affects the combustion and emission characteristics of the diesel/IBE dual-fuel engine has been seldom systematically studied. In this regard, experiments were conducted on a diesel/IBE dual-fuel engine with the engine load fixed at 50% and the engine speed fixed at 1600 rpm, while the co-combustion ratio of IBE to diesel varied from 20.51% to 52.56%. The results show that both the peak in-cylinder pressure and maximum heat release rate increase as the diesel injection timing advances, resulting in the brake thermal efficiency of the diesel/IBE dual-fuel engine increasing. For emissions, CO emissions always decrease as the diesel injection timing advances, while HC emissions increase with the diesel injection timing either delayed or advanced. Furthermore, although the NO₂ emissions first increase and then decrease as the diesel injection timing advances, the NO emissions continue to increase, leading to an overall increase in NO_x emissions. However, whether the diesel injection timing is advanced or delayed, PN emissions are significantly reduced. That is to say, delaying the diesel injection timing can simultaneously reduce NO_x and PN emissions in a diesel/IBE dual-fuel engine. Full article

The catheter is among the most commonly used blood-contacting medical devices, but its use can induce surface-mediated coagulation activation, leading to catheter-related thrombosis (CRT). The occurrence of CRT causes venous thromboembolism and catheter malfunction, but current antithrombotic strategies have unsatisfactory efficacy and safety profiles. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the pathology of CRT, particularly the roles of the contact pathway factors, and promising novel therapeutic options. Recent studies using genetically modified animals, factor-deficient plasmas, specific inhibitors and purified systems demonstrated an important contribution of contact pathway factors XII and XI to catheter-related blood clotting. Accordingly, contact pathway inhibition has efficacy comparable to that of heparins in mitigating catheter-related coagulation or intraluminal occlusion in various in vitro and animal models, while having lower bleeding risk. Early human studies suggest potential thromboprotective effects of FXI inhibition in catheter placement and hemodialysis settings. However, inhibition of factors XII or XI may impair the defense against infection or disturb normal cardiac function, respectively. Larger human trials are needed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of these contact pathway inhibitors, and to explore whether low-dose combinations of contact pathway inhibitors with heparins are more effective for CRT protection. Full article

Background: Peripheral nerve injury drives persistent remodeling of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) microenvironment, but the cellular states and intercellular signaling mechanisms that sustain neuropathic pain remain poorly understood. Methods: Here, we integrated single-cell transcriptomics with histological, behavioral, and electrophysiological approaches to identify an interferon-responsive state in satellite glial cells (SGCs) of the DRG following spared nerve injury (SNI). Results: This state was distinguished by STAT1-associated interferon-responsive genes’ activation and enhanced chemokine signaling, particularly involving CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3. These molecular alterations were accompanied by remodeling of intercellular communication among SGCs, sensory neurons, and immune cells. Pharmacological inhibition of STAT1 or blockade of CXCR3 not only reduced sensory-neuron hyperexcitability but also attenuated pain hypersensitivity and improved deficits in hindlimb weight bearing and gait after SNI. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings indicate that interferon-responsive SGCs (IFN SGCs) contribute to the maintenance of neuropathic pain by regulating STAT1-dependent chemokine signaling in the DRG. Targeting this signaling pathway may provide a therapeutic strategy for persistent neuropathic pain. Full article

Background/Objectives: Immunization coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) consistently falls short of global standards, placing the country among those with the highest prevalence of unvaccinated or “zero-dose” children. This study aimed to generate high-resolution (1 km × 1 km) geospatial estimates of coverage for the first to third doses of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis vaccine (DTP1–3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1), along with estimates of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children to support vaccination programming in DRC. Methods: We used Bayesian geostatistical modelling to integrate data from the 2023 Enquête de Couverture Vaccinale (ECV) survey with geospatial covariates and harmonized population datasets. The model generated vaccine coverage and dropout rates at 1 × 1 km resolution while accounting for spatial dependence and prediction uncertainty. Grid-level estimates were aggregated to health areas, health zones, and provinces using population-weighted averages, and combined with under-one population estimates to quantify zero-dose and DTP-under-vaccinated children. Results: The grid-level unconstrained coverage estimates (estimation over all land grid squares) showed substantial variability across the country (DTP1: 13.3 to 99.7%; DTP2: 12.3 to 96.8%; DTP3: 3.1 to 93.6%; and MCV1: 7.5 to 93.6%). In total, 56.4% of mapped health areas achieved DTP1 coverage above 80%, but this declined to 32% for DTP2, 15% for DTP3, and 8.3% for MCV1. Around 60.5% of the health zones achieved DTP1 coverage ≥ 80%, while only 2.7% fell below 40%, indicating that substantial disparities persist across these zones. Nationally, based on constrained coverage estimates (only areas with identified built settlements) applied to an estimated 4.2 million children under 1 year in 2024, 18.4% had not received DTP1, 20.7% were DTP-under-vaccinated (received DTP1 but not DTP3), and 46.8% remained unvaccinated for MCV1. Conclusions: The prevalence of large numbers of zero-dose children, together with increased dropout rates, underscores systemic issues in access and follow-up initiatives. These findings are critical for microplanning and targeted outreach to achieve equitable immunization coverage in line with the Immunization Agenda 2030’s goal of leaving no child behind. Full article

Adenomyosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disorder that may adversely affect reproductive health. Increasing evidence suggests that its reproductive and obstetric consequences may vary according to disease phenotype, including focal versus diffuse forms and inner versus outer myometrial localization. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on adenomyosis, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and maternal–fetal outcomes, with particular attention to phenotype-specific clinical implications. MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for English-language studies from database inception through March 2026, and the selected evidence was qualitatively synthesized according to the main clinical topics. Available evidence indicates that adenomyosis is associated with impaired fertility through defective endometrial receptivity, progesterone resistance, abnormal uterine peristalsis, chronic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. Adenomyosis has also been associated with miscarriage and adverse obstetric outcomes, including preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, placental dysfunction, fetal growth restriction, and postpartum hemorrhage. Emerging data suggest distinct profiles, with internal adenomyosis more closely related to implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and placental complications, whereas external adenomyosis is more frequently associated with endometriosis and primary infertility. However, phenotype-specific associations require further validation. Accurate phenotypic characterization may improve reproductive counseling and individualized management. Prospective studies using standardized diagnostic criteria are needed to confirm phenotype-specific risks and develop targeted therapeutic and obstetric strategies. Full article

The effects of the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii Tranzschel and the aphid Impatientinum asiaticum Nevsky 1929 on plant height, seed number per capsule, and seed mass were investigated in eight small balsam (Impatiens parviflora DC.) stands in Hungary and one in Poland. Two stands were infected by rust, five by aphids, and two were healthy. The lowest average plant height was 37.5 cm and the highest 94.7 cm, both measured in aphid-infested stands. Examining the stands separately, no relationship appeared with the type of damage. For data pooled across stands, differences were significant: rust-infected plants were the tallest, healthy shoots were the shortest, while aphid-infected plants fell in between. Mean seed number per capsule was the lowest (1.53) in the pest-free Nagybörzsöny stand, and the highest (2.33) in the aphid-infested Bielsko-Biała stand. In pairwise comparison of stands, average seed number did not differ in most cases. Significant positive correlation was found between average plant height and average seed number per capsule. Seeds were the heaviest in the healthy stand, whereas they were lighter in rust-infected and aphid-damaged stands. Regarding the applicability of the studied pests as biological control agents, the results showed that both pests reduce seed mass but not overall performance of the host plant. Full article